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ACI eManifest – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ACI Program?

The Advance Commercial Information (ACI) program, mandated by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), introduces more effective risk management processes and tools to identify threats to health, safety, and security prior to the arrival of cargo and conveyances in Canada.

What are the phases of the ACI program?

ACI has 3 implementation phases. We are currently in the third phase:

• Phase 1: Marine Mode (effective April 19, 2004)

• Phase 2: Air Mode and Marine Shipments Loaded in USA (effective July 26, 2006)

• Phase 3: eManifest

• eManifest will require the electronic transmission of advance cargo and conveyance information from carriers for all highway and rail shipments. In addition, the electronic transmission of advance secondary data will be required from freight forwarders and the electronic transmission of advance importer data will be required from importers or their brokers.

  • Cargo and conveyance data must be received and validated by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) a minimum of one hour before the shipment arrives at the border.

What is the goal of the eManifest phase?

When fully implemented, eManifest will require carriers, freight forwarders and importers in all modes of transportation (air, marine, highway and rail) to electronically transmit cargo, conveyance, house bill / supplementary cargo and importer data to CBSA in advance of loading in the marine mode and prior to arrival in the air, rail and highway modes.

What is the eManifest Implementation Timeline?

The 18-month implementation timeline for highway carriers to transmit cargo and conveyance data began November 1, 2011.

• Nov 1, 2011 to Nov 1, 2012 – Highway carriers have 12 months to incorporate eManifest requirements into their business processes.
• Nov 1, 2012 to May 1, 2013 – eManifest requirements are mandatory. Highway carriers deemed to be non-compliant will be denied entry to Canada and issued zero-rated penalties.
• May 1, 2013 – The implementation timeline is complete. Highway carriers deemed to be non-compliant will be denied entry to Canada and issued monetary penalties.

What is Descartes’ Solution for ACI eManifest requirements?

Descartes offers a number of offerings to that enable compliance and are tailored to different customer needs.

Our options include:

• Option 1: Carrier back-end integration to submit e-Manifests. (No Descartes involvement aside from providing pass-through connectivity to CBSA.)
• Option 2: Carrier web portal access and to create, submit, track and manage e-Manifests.
• Option 3: Carrier faxes shipment documents to Descartes. Descartes completes and submits e-Manifests on the carrier's behalf.
• Option 4: Premier capabilities to manage imaged shipment documents with workflow to track document delivery status and customs broker acceptance/rejections, combined with the functionality to create, print and fax bar-coded driver documentation for customs clearance.

For More Information:

info@descartes.com +1(519)746 8110 ext. 2331